Information for Judicial Candidates

Whenever an individual is under consideration for appointment or election to a judicial vacancy in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia Municipal Court or a statewide appellate court (and the candidate has an office or chambers in Philadelphia), the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention investigates that individual’s qualifications to hold such office and makes appropriate recommendations to the voting public when an election is involved and to the legislature if confirmation of an appointment is required. The authority and composition of the Commission are set forth in Philadelphia Bar Association Bylaws Article VII.

The Judicial Commission’s investigation is conducted in accordance with the Guidelines for Evaluation of Attorney and Judge Candidates. The Commission rates a candidate as Highly Recommended, Recommended or Not Recommended for the judicial office sought. Any candidate who fails to submit to the Commission’s evaluation process will automatically receive a rating of Not Recommended.